The Florida Coalition to End Homelessness recently honored AdventHealth University and Ability Housing with the Stronger Together award, celebrating two organizations in different systems of care that come together to better serve individuals experiencing homelessness.
The award recognizes Ability Housing and AdventHealth University’s collaboration at the Wayne Densch Community, a multifamily development where more than half of the apartments are rented to households that previously experienced homelessness. Faculty and students from AdventHealth University’s Occupational Therapy Assistant and Master of Occupational Therapy programs provide another layer of care. Students who receive clinical training through AHU’s Hope Clinic engage in service-learning initiatives and volunteer activities, providing residents with a range of essential services. Hope Clinic (Healing through Occupation, Purpose and Excellence) is a freestanding clinic that provides therapy and care to uninsured and underinsured residents in the Central Florida area. Ability Housing owns the community and provides wraparound services to support residents’ independence and housing stability.
Through this unique partnership, Wayne Densch residents receive group and individualized care from AHU faculty and students — ranging from cooking classes and health screenings, to group gatherings for healthy lifestyle education and exercise, games and celebrations. These contributions equip residents with practical knowledge, skills and tools to maintain their housing stability and lead healthier, more fulfilled lives.
To date, AHU has provided 4,200 breakfasts and lunches, 426 service days, 240 private client sessions, and an annual Thanksgiving celebration since the partnership formed in 2017. More than 1,500 AHU students volunteered 8,736 hours in the last seven years.
Cody Spencer, Programs Director of Ability Housing, and Olga Melnik, OTR/L, Director of Hope Clinic, accepted the award on November 13 during FCEH’s 2024 Florida Conference on Ending Homelessness.
“This award represents the compassionate care and contributions of hundreds of AdventHealth University faculty, staff and students throughout the years. Our team is committed to living the healing values of Christ, which is perfectly exemplified by our partnership with Ability Housing. Serving Wayne Densch Community residents is an honor that resonates deeply with our approach to whole-person learning and healing,” Ms. Melnik said.
Ability Housing leaders say they notice the difference therapy makes on residents.
“When housing and health care providers work together, residents’ lives vastly improve. The residents of Wayne Densch Community are proof,” said Shannon Nazworth, President and CEO of Ability Housing. “Through our many years of partnership, the AdventHealth University team has gone above and beyond to uplift the quality of life for our residents and restore their dignity. We could not be more grateful for all they do for our residents.”
Wayne Densch Center Inc. owned and operated the Wayne Densch Community as a transitional housing community for more than 18 years, then donated the property to AdventHealth in 2016. In turn, AdventHealth partnered with Ability Housing to operate and transform the property into 75 units of permanent housing for individuals and families exiting or at risk of homelessness.
“Housing is a critical social determinant of health,” said Michael Griffin, Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy for AdventHealth and Chairman of the Ability Housing Board of Directors. “This community center meets residents where they are and it’s important to note that this is also a partnership with them as well. They receive the help they need on their terms.”